Anti-Trump protests to stretch into fifth day

14/11/2016

Organisers of the weekend protests said they wanted to build on momentum after several nights of unrest (Reuters)

Demonstrators across the United States are planning to take to the streets for a fifth straight day to protest the election of Donald Trump, as the president-elect spars on social media with one of the nation's largest newspapers.

Protests were scheduled for Sunday afternoon (local time) in New York City and Oakland, California, according to online announcements.

Thousands in several cities have demonstrated since the results from Tuesday's election showed Mr Trump lost the popular tally but gained enough votes in the 538-person Electoral College to win the presidency, surprising the world.

Demonstrators have decried Mr Trump's campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations the former reality-TV star sexually abused women.

Dozens have been arrested and a handful of police injured.

Mr Trump, a Republican, launched complaints of his own on Sunday on Twitter, attacking the New York Times for coverage that he said was "very poor and highly inaccurate".

The newspaper published a letter in Sunday's editions from publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Dean Baquet, not apologising, but thanking readers for their loyalty and asking how news outlets underestimated Mr Trump's support.

The Times plans to "hold power to account, impartially and unflinchingly" during the Trump presidency, they wrote.

Organisers of the weekend protests said they wanted to build on momentum after several nights of unrest triggered by the real-estate mogul's surprise win.

The demonstrations have been impromptu affairs, quickly organised, with weekend protests expected to swell in size.

Mr Trump initially said they were "incited" by media but later praised the demonstrators' "passion for our great country".

Some 60.3 million people voted for Mr Trump, fewer than the 60.8 million who chose Ms Clinton. But Mr Trump's strong showing in swing states including Michigan meant he triumphed in the Electoral College which ultimately picks the president.